President Droupadi Murmu hosted the traditional ‘At Home’ reception at the Amrit Udyan complex of Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday to mark India’s 80th Independence Day. Around 650 guests attended the ceremony, including 100 VVIPs.
Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former President Ram Nath Kovind, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla attended the reception, along with Union ministers, diplomats and prominent personalities from various fields.
Beneficiaries of government schemes and individuals who have achieved notable accomplishments in various fields were also invited. The programme began with the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’, followed by the national anthem.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw were also among those present at the ceremony.
President Murmu welcomed foreign guests at the At Home Reception.
Former President Kovind arrived with his wife
Former President Ram Nath Kovind arrived at the ceremony with his wife Savita Kovind. Former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and CJI Suryakant were also present. Para-cricketer Amir Hussain Lone was also invited as a special guest.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan’s ‘At Home’ reception is organized every year on the occasion of Independence Day. It includes people who have contributed in fields like politics, defense, sports, cinema, art, culture, and public service.
President Murmu paid tribute at the National War Memorial
Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu paid tribute to the martyrs at the National War Memorial. CDS General NS Raja Subramani, Army Chief General Dheeraj Seth, Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, and Air Chief Marshal AP Singh also paid tribute at the memorial.
India gained independence from British rule on August 15, 1947. On Independence Day, ‘At Home’ receptions are held at Rashtrapati Bhavan and the main ceremony is held at the Red Fort.
Vande Mataram echoed for the first time at Red Fort
This year, during the Independence Day celebrations, ‘Vande Mataram’ was sung for the first time at the Red Fort. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address from the Red Fort, said, Today, every heart is beating to the rhythm of Vande Mataram. Today, every home has the tricolor, every mind has the tricolor.
He said that the sound of the national song is echoing across the country and the tricolor is a symbol of the spirit of Independence Day.
